1899 war between the British Empire and insurgent forces in the New Territories
The Six-Day War established lasting indigenous land rights in Hong Kong's New Territories that persist to the present day.
Key Facts
- Duration
- 6 days (14–19 April 1899)
- Punti militia force
- 2,600 militiamen
- Punti casualties
- 500 dead
- Legal basis for British takeover
- Second Convention of Peking
- Governor
- Henry Arthur Blake
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Qing dynasty ceded the New Territories to Britain via the Second Convention of Peking. Punti clan leaders feared the loss of their traditional land rights under British administration, prompting armed resistance before the formal takeover could be consolidated.
From 14 to 19 April 1899, approximately 2,600 punti militiamen attacked British forces in the New Territories. The British repelled the assault within six days, inflicting around 500 deaths on the insurgent force while sustaining minimal losses themselves.
Governor Henry Arthur Blake adopted a conciliatory approach, formally acknowledging the punti clans' traditional land rights. This agreement had lasting legal significance, as indigenous land rights in Hong Kong's New Territories continued to be recognised well into the present day.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Henry Arthur Blake.
Side B
1 belligerent